The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-08-27
THE PITCHERS ARM.
A New Physiological Development for Base
BAH Performers.


A new physiological development has
come from the introduction of modern
curve pitching, and is known as the
"pitcher's arm. just as scrivener's
paralysis is produced by using certain
muscles in excess, the pitchers arm is
the result of the peculiar motion which
the modern pitcher uses to give the
ball that long-doubted twist which
alone seems able to strike out the OPP
posing batsman and earn the pitchers
salary.
DR.. Leuf, of Philadelphia, discusses
this subject in manner deserving the
attention of all present base ball lights
and of the more youthful aspirants for
the future. DR.. Leuf estimates that a
pitcher averages about one hundred and
eighty pitches in a game, in each OF
which the ball is delivered with almost
all possible speed, With the manner
of producing the curve the readers of
the Sun are already familiar, but the
special muscles engaged and affected
by the process of curving are so lucidly
discoursod upon by DR.. Leuf that we
will follow his words in their most inn
portant bearing. He defines the seats
of trouble when the incurve, the out
curve, the down-curve, and the up
curve have been resorted to in excess,
as follows:
The in-curvc calls into action most
particularly the pectoralis major, the
bicepS, brachialiS anticus, and hexors
of the forearm. The out-curve affects
the pectoralis major, oraco-brachialis,
intraSpinatus, teres minor, and ulnar
muscles. The down-curve strains most
especially the pectoralis major, trapez-
luS, deltoid, and serratus magnus.
The up-curve is mostly caused by the
peotoraliS major, biceps, and supinator
breviS.
If Larry CoIroran had but known
that his trouble lay in the coraco-bra-
chailiS or in his intraspinatus,
wouldn't he have dropped his out curve
like n hot potato until the crumbling
/ foundation of his fame and fortune had
I got we'll?
The up-curve also strains the lattissi-
mus dorsi. All curves strain the elbow
joint and tend to separate the radius
and the capitellum of the humorous.
The constant necessity for quick twists
of the elbow have particular unfor-
tunate effect upon the brachialis anticus.
Alas for the brachialis!
DR.. Leuf maintains that the bones Oh
pitchers arm may be seriously
affected. The constant strain upon
the bone by the pulling tendons pro
duces inflammation and calcareous de-
posits, and the petroleum being pulled
about hypertrophy of the subjacen
bone follows.
These are only the principal points
of DR.. Leuf's thesis. In regard tt
treatment, regular exercise is recon-
mended. Do not pitch too swiftly whel
you have an "of' day." when you dc
not feel able to do yourself justice
don't try to pitch hard. Let you
average be less considered than you
arm, but to be in good form pitche
must practice about an hour mornin;
and afternoon, Sundays included. Al
exercise must be taken in the sun. l
the thermometer is below sixty vigor
Gus pitching is risky, and the DANCE
increases as the temperature falls
Never use liniments. They are n
good. Rubbing is bad, too, Ho
water is good, as is also mild galvan
ism.
Alas, how many famous arms ar
now comparatively quiet, and thei
owners no longer figures for popula
admiration on account of pitcher
arm" How many brilliant reputi
tons have been ruined through tn
ignorance of or contempt for facts an
principles which DR.. Leuf lays dow
, with such experienced authority Ii
E us trust that his precepts will /
needed. In that case the ball iiel
; now so strewn with the wrecks {
twirlers may be trod by an unbroke
list of capable and unsluggable pitcl
ers, each with sound arms and salar
= of $40, 900 a year.-M Y. San.
go